For a Moment Between Strangers - two part screen installation

For a Moment Between Strangers marks a key stage in Manchot’s transition from studio based portraiture as seen in works such as ‘Liminal Portraits’ to make works which cross social art (specifically in this case social video rather than the more familiar term social sculpture)and portraiture. It deliberately set out to cross the boundaries of normal behaviour in a work which collected and visually documented kisses from 100 strangers on the streets of New York.

The work also interrupts normal urban street life of non-transaction and anonymity and questions whether moments of intimacy can nevertheless take place as Manchot approaches strangers and asks for a kiss while recording their responses using a hidden camera and sound recorder. The work also moves in the direction of the staged documentary in that it comprises raw rather footage of the interaction between Manchot and the strangers.

For a Moment Between Strangers was also exhibited at Bonington Gallery 06/03/02 and in a group exhibition ‘Summertime: Reflection/Self-Reflections’ at Galerie m, in Bochum, 05/07/06-06/09/06. In the latter venue she exhibited with artists including Boris Savelev, Thomas Florschuetz and Nam June Paik.

Stills from the work can be viewed on:

http://www/m-bochum.de/artist_image_en.php?aid+170&aname+MelanieManchot

The exhibition was accompanied by the publication of Love is a Stranger published by Prestel and launched at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, 02/11/01, ISBN 3791325329.